Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 1.djvu/481

office, on account of the duties to be performed, in virtue of his appointment.

Rates of postage.Sec.9. And be it further enacted, That the deputy postmasters and persons authorized by the Postmaster General, shall demand and receive, for the conveyance of letters and packets, except such as are hereinafter excepted, the following rates of postage: For every single letter conveyed by land, not exceeding thirty miles, six cents; over thirty miles and not exceeding sixty, eight cents; over sixty, and not exceeding one hundred, ten cents; over one hundred miles, and not exceeding one hundred and fifty, twelve cents and a half; over one hundred and fifty miles, and not exceeding two hundred, fifteen cents; over two hundred miles, and not exceeding two hundred and fifty, seventeen cents; over two hundred and fifty miles, and not exceeding three hundred and fifty, twenty cents; over three hundred and fifty miles, and not exceeding four hundred and fifty, twenty-two cents; and more than four hundred and fifty miles, twenty-five cents; and for every double letter, double the said rates; for every triple letter, triple; and for every packet weighing one ounce avoirdupois, at the rate of four single letters; and in that proportion for any greater weight.

Rates of letters passing by sea.Sec.10. And be it further enacted, That for all letters and packets passing by sea, to and from the United States, or from one port to another therein, in packet boats or vessels, the property of, or provided by the United States, postage shall be charged, as follows: For every single letter, eight cents; for every double letter, sixteen cents; for every triple letter, or packet, twenty-four cents; and for every letter or packet brought into the United States, or carried from one port therein to another, by sea, in any private ship or vessel, four cents, if delivered at the place where the same shall arrive; and if directed to be delivered at any other place, with the addition of like postage, as other letters are made subject to the payment of, by this act.

Penalty on demanding or receiving beyond stipulated postage.Sec.11. And be it further enacted, That if any deputy postmaster, or other person authorized by the Postmaster General to receive the postages of letters, shall fraudulently demand or receive any rate of postage, or any gratuity or reward, other than is provided by this act, for the postage of letters or packets, on conviction thereof, he shall forfeit, for every such offence, one hundred dollars, and shall be rendered incapable of holding any office or appointment under the United States.

Duty of masters of vessels previous to making report, &c.Sec.12. And be it further enacted, That no ship or vessel arriving at any port within the United States, where a post-office is established, shall be permitted to report, make entry, or break bulk, until the master or commander shall have delivered to the postmaster, all letters directed to any person or persons, within the United States, which, under his care, or within his power, shall be brought in such ship or vessel, except such as are directed to the owner or consignee of the ship or vessel, and except also such as are directed to be delivered at the port of delivery, to which such ship or vessel may be bound. Duty of collectors herein.And it shall be the duty of the collector, or other officer of the port empowered to receive entries of ships or vessels, to require from every master or commander of such ship or vessel, an oath or affirmation, purporting that he has delivered all such letters, except as aforesaid.

Of Postmasters on receipt of foreign letters.Sec.13. And be it further enacted, That the postmasters, to whom such letters may be delivered, shall pay to the master, commander or other person delivering the same, except the commanders of foreign packets, two cents for each letter or packet, and shall obtain from the person delivering the same, a certificate specifying the number of letters and packets, with the name of the ship or vessel, and the place, from whence she last sailed; which certificate, together with a receipt for the money, shall be, with his quarterly accounts, transmitted to the Postmaster General, who shall credit him with the amount.